OLYMPIA, Wash. — Lawmakers in Olympia could soon decide whether to set limits on when cities and counties can remove homeless encampments from public areas.
H.B. 2489, known as the Shelters Not Penalties Act, would require local governments to make an offer of “adequate shelter” to people living in encampments before enforcing local camping laws.
“Criminalizing someone not breaking any laws other than seeking to survive when there is not adequate shelter available for them is not good for anyone, it doesn’t solve any problems,” said bill sponsor Rep. Mia Gregerson (D – District 33)…